Fist & Faith

On the last day before summer vacation, Campbell learns that entire departments may be downsized. The prospect of layoffs weighs on him as he worries for his pregnant wife and child. The tense mood sets the stage for a volatile day at school.

Students hatch an elaborate prank day that disrupts classes and stuns teachers. The chaos escalates as administrators scramble to keep order and keep students safe. The prank becomes the day’s central chaos.

In Strickland's class, he asks Campbell for help with a VCR, while a student secretly uses a smartphone to prank Strickland. Strickland loses his temper and destroys the student’s desk in a fury, sending the room into panic as students flee. The incident marks a turning point for the day.

Campbell and Strickland are brought to Principal Tyler's office. They initially agree to keep the incident quiet to avoid further trouble. However, Campbell decides to tell the truth about the chaos when pressured.

Strickland loses his job after the incident, and he immediately challenges Campbell to a post-school fist fight. The confrontation intensifies tensions between them and threatens to derail both careers. The stakes are personal as well as professional.

Desperate to save Strickland's career, Campbell bribes Neil to give false testimony to Principal Tyler. The plan appears to work and Strickland is reinstated, causing tension to simmer beneath the surface. Campbell's actions set off a chain of ethical compromises.

Holly calls them to an 'emergency' meeting to address their issues, manipulating the situation to influence them. Campbell learns that his plan might have unintended consequences and grows wary. The meeting unsettles both teachers.

Campbell pressures Neil to deliver MDMA, which he plants in Strickland's satchel. He then calls the police hoping to arrest Strickland, but the plan falls apart and both teachers end up incarcerated. The misguided scheme backfires spectacularly.

In jail, Campbell quietly rigs a way to have a large inmate beat Strickland, signaling when to strike. Strickland keeps faith with Campbell, but the ensuing attack confirms their uneasy alliance. The plan's moral line is blurred as they navigate a perilous day.

Police discover that the drug used to frame Strickland was actually aspirin, exonerating him. Campbell and Strickland are released and their deception becomes clear. The ordeal strips away the façade of who was right.

Campbell finds out most of his colleagues have been fired, while he remains to fight for change. He voices criticisms of the public school system and vows to push for better support and resources. The event cements his resolve to stand by his students and colleagues.

Campbell attends his daughter's talent show and is moved by her performance, which gives him courage to stand up to Strickland. The moment reframes his priorities and fuels his resolve for change. He begins to claim a stronger stance in the ongoing feud.

In a frenzied school parking lot fight, Strickland dominates early and Campbell seems to win with a fire extinguisher, only to be surprised when Strickland knocks him out. Realizing his wife is in labor, Strickland drives Campbell to the hospital, ending their feud for now. The day closes with a fragile truce and new respect between them.

Tyler announces that the publicity has pushed the Department of Education to invest in schools and rehire Campbell, Strickland, and their colleagues. Campbell accepts on condition that rest of the staff be reinstated. The district-level change signals a fresh start for the school.

With the new school year, the faculty return to their positions and Campbell and Strickland become best friends, ready to enforce learning with renewed purpose. They work together more assertively to guide their students. The school appears to be on a steadier path moving forward.

In a quick post-credits moment, Crawford flirts with the 911 operator in person, and after rapping for her, realizes he doesn't know her name. The scene adds a light, incongruous note to the day’s chaos.